Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic, committed and passionate Band 3 Activity Coordinator. The post is based within the Dennis Scott Unit, an acute mental health unit for working aged adults.
The post holder will work to deliver meaningful group activities and one to one session for the service users on the ward. The post holder will also facilitate interventions under the guidance of the qualified Occupational Therapists to help service users in further developing their independence whilst they are on the acute ward.
Successful candidates will have strong engagement and motivation skills and be able to work well with service users with complex mental health needs. This role will offer you the chance to develop your skills in an inpatient setting, alongside a supportive and creative team.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be based within the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Occupational Therapy Team and would be responsible for planning and facilitating a weekly activity therapeutic programme that includes social, creative and skill-based activities for the service users to engage within the acute ward environment and local community.
The post holder will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to support service users along their recovery journey and support towards safe discharge. Team work is important in this role as the post holder would be required to work with different staff members e.g. Nursing staff, Psychology staff etc. The post holder will receive regular supervision from a qualified Occupational Therapist and will be supported with their career development.
About us
Thank you for your interest in the North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT). This is an exciting time to join us and be part of our journey to improve mental health care across North London and deliver excellent services to our local people. We will achieve this through the North London Way, as we:
- Collaborate at every level by living our values to create the right conditions for us all to work together.
- Develop our new Trust culture, to help make our new Trust a great place to work and to receive great care.
- Empower our teams to lead the planned improvements in our services, by skilling them and giving them the tools to make the changes.
- Focus on delivering excellence at every level to improve our performance and ensure consistently high-quality care across all our services.
- Ensure that research, quality improvement, and technology lead the way and are embedded in our services.
- Take a trauma informed approach to everything we do
We proactively welcome diversity in our workforce and pride ourselves on being an inclusive employer. We aim to recruit from our local communities and provide opportunities to all including apprenticeships, veterans, care leavers and more.
The North London Way to deliver: Better Mental Health, Better Lives, Better Communities.
Our trust website is: https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please kindly refer to the job description and person specification that is attached to the vacancy profile.
Person Specification
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to facilitate groups and individual activity sessions safely and creatively
- Good verbal & written communication skills
- Ability to engage patients with complex mental health needs
- Risk awareness and ability to participate in risk assessments
- Ability to de-escalate or manage challenging behaviour appropriately
- IT literacy (ability to record notes clearly and use electronic systems)
- Ability to work independently using initiative
Desirable
- Creative or leisure-based practical skills (art, music, sport, craft, gardening, cooking)
- Presentation, planning or activity-design skills
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Good literacy & numeracy (GCSE English/Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills)
Desirable
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- Qualifications in specific activities e.g. craft, gym etc. o
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience delivering or supporting group activities (e.g., social, creative, therapeutic)
- Experience working in a multicultural environment Ex
- Experience of working as a team
Desirable
- Experience working with people with mental health conditions (paid or voluntary)
- Experience supporting physical health, exercise or wellbeing groups
- Experience supporting activities off the ward / community integration
- Understanding of mental health presentations, distress and recovery principles
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Ability to work evenings/weekends depending on ward needs
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional conduct
Desirable
- Willingness to participate in service development and quality improvement
- Physically able to run active groups, support mobility, or accompany walks
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Compassionate, motivated, enthusiastic and creative
- Ability to work flexibly
- Committed to be a team player
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Desirable
- Ability to act as a role model to junior staff/support workers
- Emotional resilience and ability to manage distressing or challenging situations
Person Specification
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential
- Ability to facilitate groups and individual activity sessions safely and creatively
- Good verbal & written communication skills
- Ability to engage patients with complex mental health needs
- Risk awareness and ability to participate in risk assessments
- Ability to de-escalate or manage challenging behaviour appropriately
- IT literacy (ability to record notes clearly and use electronic systems)
- Ability to work independently using initiative
Desirable
- Creative or leisure-based practical skills (art, music, sport, craft, gardening, cooking)
- Presentation, planning or activity-design skills
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- Good literacy & numeracy (GCSE English/Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills)
Desirable
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
- Qualifications in specific activities e.g. craft, gym etc. o
EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Experience delivering or supporting group activities (e.g., social, creative, therapeutic)
- Experience working in a multicultural environment Ex
- Experience of working as a team
Desirable
- Experience working with people with mental health conditions (paid or voluntary)
- Experience supporting physical health, exercise or wellbeing groups
- Experience supporting activities off the ward / community integration
- Understanding of mental health presentations, distress and recovery principles
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential
- Ability to work evenings/weekends depending on ward needs
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and uphold professional conduct
Desirable
- Willingness to participate in service development and quality improvement
- Physically able to run active groups, support mobility, or accompany walks
PERSONAL QUALITIES
Essential
- Compassionate, motivated, enthusiastic and creative
- Ability to work flexibly
- Committed to be a team player
- Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
Desirable
- Ability to act as a role model to junior staff/support workers
- Emotional resilience and ability to manage distressing or challenging situations
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
